Decision to continue talks after presidential meeting a satisfactory result, expert believesMarch 6, 2011 - 15:56 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - During their recent meeting in Sochi, Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani presidents agreed to go back to implementation of the statement adopted in Astrakhan. Thus, no actual progress was achieved in the settlement of a protracted conflict, a Russian political expert stated. As Sergei Markedonov told PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, after yet another rollback, the parties returned to the points agreed on half a year ago. However, the expert characterized the preservation of the negotiation format as a satisfactory result all parties could benefit from. “To Azerbaijan, a war would be fraught with serious social shocks. Armenia would risk loosing everything it gained in the 1990s. For unrecognized NKR, a war would have endangered its physical and political existence. In this situation Russia would have to chose between Yerevan and Baku, and risk its position in South Caucasus. The war would distract Washington from Afghanistan and a complicated geo-political puzzle in Middle East,” the expert explained. Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani Presidents - Serzh Sargsyan, Dmitry Medvedev and Ilham Aliyev - adopted a joint statement on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement based on the results of their negotiations in Sochi. The document reads that the Presidents considered matters of practical implementation of the trilateral statement adopted during the October 27, 2010, meeting in Astrakhan. Specifically, the Presidents agreed to finalize the swap of POWs as soon as possible. The document stresses the parties’ willingness “to solve all disputable matters peacefully and conduct investigation of possible incidents along the ceasefire line under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group through the assistance of Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.” Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Pasadena to host Armenian Genocide commemoration event The Pasadena Armenian Coalition will host its community-wide Armenian Genocide Commemorative Event. Armenia: Opposition activist transferred to Investigative Committee Activist Samvel Vardanyan has been accused of insulting the lawmaker Hakob Aslanyan from the ruling Civil Contract party. Former Pashinyan envoy urges end to Genocide speculation Marukyan has urged authorities in Armenia stop discussions about verifying the names of 1.5 million victims. Azerbaijan, Jordan sign deal on defense cooperation Azerbaijan and Jordan have signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of defense, according to an official statement. |